Waikato Explorer

Ja 1240 reverses into Papakura Platform 3 to begin its first excursion run since its restoration

24 November 2012

Ja 1240 lets off steam at Papakura shortly before detaching from the train to run around it

24 November 2012

With a tiny bit of Ja 1240 poking out from under the bridge, DC 4692 leads the Northern Explorer into Papakura

24 November 2012

DC 4692 stopped next to the excursion train

24 November 2012

The Northern Explorer departs Papakura

24 November 2012

With the Northern Explorer clear, Ja 1240 is now able to complete its runaround operation

24 November 2012

Ja 1240 is now ready to depart for Tokoroa

24 November 2012

A banner on the back of the train indicates this excursion is dedicated to the memory of Grant Hjorth

24 November 2012

On its first photo run of the excursion at Whangamarino, Ja 1240 thunders past passengers next to the track

24 November 2012

Having now arrived at Hamilton, Ja 1240 awaits clearance

24 November 2012

Ja 1240\'s path ahead towards Morrinsville

24 November 2012

At the second photo stop at Walton, Ja 1240 thunders past passengers next to the track as well as on a road bridge

24 November 2012

The interior of one of the train\'s carriages, Aa 1258

24 November 2012

The signal controlling the entrance to the mothballed Rotorua Branch - this would not have signalled trains onto the branch since 2001

24 November 2012

The overgrown beginning to the Rotorua Branch

24 November 2012

Ja 1240 stops at its third photo stop at Lichfield - at this stage it had set off a nearby level crossing and was holding up several trucks

24 November 2012

Ja 1240 lets off a huge cloud of black steam

24 November 2012

After the photo run, the train was blocking this level crossing

24 November 2012

This bus ran from Matamata to Tokoroa and carries passengers wishing to chase the train between these two towns

24 November 2012

Ja 1240 stopped in the goods yard at Tokoroa. The town has never had a proper platform

24 November 2012

The Bridge St level crossing in Tokoroa. Despite being double track, it does not have barrier arms as only one train can be signalled over it at a time

24 November 2012

The carriages sitting at Tokoroa, after Ja 1240 went to Kenleith for turning

24 November 2012

After Ja 1240 was turned and returned to Tokoroa, it was refilled with coal from a waiting truck

24 November 2012

The weather puts on a fine display as Ja 1240 waits at Tokoroa for coal

24 November 2012